Trampoline systems containing at least one zip line and methods of making and using the same

ABSTRACT

Trampoline systems containing multiple trampoline jumping surfaces and at least one zip line are disclosed. Methods of making and using trampoline systems containing multiple trampoline jumping surfaces and at least one zip line are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/589,724 filed on Nov. 22,2017 and entitled “TRAMPOLINE SYSTEMS CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE ZIP LINEAND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME,” the subject matter of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to trampoline systems containing atleast one zip line. The present invention is further directed to methodsof making and using trampoline systems containing at least one zip line.

BACKGROUND

Efforts continue to further develop trampoline systems and enhance theexperience of the user of the trampoline system.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses some of the difficulties and problemsdiscussed above by the discovery of new trampoline systems containing atleast one zip line.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to trampoline systemscontaining at least one zip line. In one exemplary embodiment, thetrampoline systems of the present invention comprise: one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces; and at least one zip line extending (i)along an outer edge of at least one trampoline jumping surface withinthe one or more trampoline jumping surfaces, (ii) over at least onetrampoline jumping surface within the one or more trampoline jumpingsurfaces, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In some exemplary embodiments, the trampoline systems of the presentinvention comprise: one or more trampoline jumping surfaces; and atleast one zip line extending (i) along an outer edge of at least onetrampoline jumping surface within the one or more trampoline jumpingsurfaces, (ii) over at least one trampoline jumping surface within theone or more trampoline jumping surfaces, or (iii) both (i) and (ii),wherein the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces comprises (a) afirst row of trampoline jumping surfaces (e.g., from 1 to 24 trampolinejumping surfaces) within a plane P that is parallel to a ground surfaceon which the trampoline system is positioned, and (ii) a second row ofangled trampoline jumping surfaces (e.g., from 1 to 24 trampolinejumping surfaces) positioned at an angle A relative to plane P.

The present invention is further related to methods of making trampolinesystems containing at least one zip line. In one exemplary embodiment,the method of making a trampoline system comprises: assembling one ormore trampoline jumping surfaces with one another; and attaching atleast one zip line to the trampoline system so that the at least one zipline extends (i) along an outer edge of at least one trampoline jumpingsurface within the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces, (ii) over atleast one trampoline jumping surface within the one or more trampolinejumping surfaces, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In some exemplary embodiments, the method of making a trampoline systemcomprises: assembling one or more trampoline jumping surfaces with oneanother; and attaching at least one zip line to the trampoline system sothat the at least one zip line extends (i) along an outer edge of atleast one trampoline jumping surface within the one or more trampolinejumping surfaces, (ii) over at least one trampoline jumping surfacewithin the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces, or (iii) both (i)and (ii), wherein the assembling step comprises assembling one or moreof the trampoline jumping surfaces at an angle A relative to a plane Pthat is parallel to a ground surface on which the trampoline system ispositioned. The method may further comprise assembling (i) a first rowof trampoline jumping surfaces within plane P that is parallel to aground surface on which the trampoline system is positioned, and (ii) asecond row of angled trampoline jumping surfaces positioned at an angleA relative to plane P.

The present invention is even further related to methods of usingtrampoline systems containing at least one zip line. In one exemplaryembodiment, the method of using a trampoline system comprises: jumpingon at least one trampoline jumping surface within one or more trampolinejumping surfaces while being attached to at least one zip line.

In some exemplary embodiments, the method of method of using atrampoline system comprises: jumping on at least one trampoline jumpingsurface within one or more trampoline jumping surfaces while beingattached to at least one zip line, wherein the one or more trampolinejumping surfaces comprise (i) a first row of trampoline jumping surfaceswithin a plane P that is parallel to a ground surface on which thetrampoline system is positioned, and (ii) a second row of angledtrampoline jumping surfaces positioned at an angle A relative to planeP, and the method further comprises moving a user/harness combinationalong the first and second rows of trampoline jumping surfaces.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent after a review of the following detailed description ofthe disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an exemplary trampoline system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of an exemplary zip line support member of theexemplary trampoline system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side end view of the exemplary trampoline system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIG.1; and

FIG. 6 is another close-up view of the exemplary zip line support memberof the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention,descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow andspecific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations,further modifications, and such further applications of the principlesof the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normallyoccur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains.

The present invention is directed to trampoline systems containing atleast one zip line. The present invention is further directed to methodsof making trampoline systems containing at least one zip line. Thepresent invention is even further directed to methods of usingtrampoline systems containing at least one zip line.

The trampoline systems of the present invention are further described inthe following embodiments and claims. See also, the figures.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Trampoline Systems

1. A trampoline system 100 comprising: one or more trampoline jumpingsurfaces 101; and at least one zip line 20 extending (i) along an outeredge of at least one trampoline jumping surface 101 within said one ormore trampoline jumping surfaces 101, (ii) over at least one trampolinejumping surface 101 within said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces101, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).2. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 1, wherein said trampolinesystem 100 comprises four or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101.3. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein saidtrampoline system 100 comprises from four to 80 trampoline jumpingsurfaces 101 (or any number, in increments of 1, between 4 and 80, e.g.,24, or any range of numbers, in increments of 1, between 4 and 80, e.g.,from about 8 to about 16).4. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, whereineach trampoline jumping surface 101 independently has a rectangularshape or a square shape. However, it should be understood that eachtrampoline jumping surface 101 within a given trampoline system 100 ofthe present invention may independently have any desired shapeincluding, but not limited to, a triangular shape, an isoscelestrapezoid shape, a parallelogram shape, a rhombus shape, a circularshape, or any other shape.5. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, whereinone or more of said trampoline jumping surfaces 101 is within a plane Pthat is parallel to a ground surface 80 on which the trampoline system100 is positioned. See, plane P shown in FIG. 3.6. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, whereinone or more of said trampoline jumping surfaces 101 is positioned at anangle A relative to a plane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80 onwhich the trampoline system 100 is positioned. These angularly-orientedtrampoline jumping surfaces 101 are also referred to herein as angledtrampoline jumping surfaces 101′. See, for example, FIGS. 1 and 3.7. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, whereinat least one outer edge 104 of said trampoline system 100 issubstantially within a plane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80on which the trampoline system 100 is positioned. See, FIG. 3.8. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, whereinat least one outer edge 104 of said trampoline system 100 is above aplane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80 on which the trampolinesystem 100 is positioned. See, FIG. 3.9. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, whereinsubstantially all of said trampoline jumping surfaces 101 are within aplane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80 on which the trampolinesystem 100 is positioned.10. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, whereinsubstantially more than half of said trampoline jumping surfaces 101 arewithin a plane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80 on which thetrampoline system 100 is positioned, and less than half of saidtrampoline jumping surfaces 101 are positioned at an angle A relative tothe plane P that is parallel to the ground surface 80 on which thetrampoline system 100 is positioned. It should be understood that anynumber of said trampoline jumping surfaces 101 can be within and/orangled relative to a plane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80 onwhich the trampoline system 100 is positioned.11. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 6 to 8 and 10,wherein angle A ranges from about 15° to about 90° (or any number, inincrements of 0.1, between 15 and 90, e.g., 45.2, or any range ofnumbers, in increments of 0.1, between 15 and 90, e.g., from about 35.7to about 50.0).12. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, furthercomprising: a trampoline support structure 30, said trampoline supportstructure comprising a support structure frame member 31 (i) having anuppermost frame portion 32, and (ii) a lowermost frame portion 33 on aground surface 80.13. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 12, wherein said uppermostframe portion 32 and said lowermost frame portion 33 are positioned adistance H from one another, said distance H ranging from about 5.0 feet(ft) to about 20 ft (or any number, in increments of 0.1, between 5.0 ftand 20 ft, e.g., 12.6 ft, or any range of numbers, in increments of 0.1,between 5.0 ft and 20 ft, e.g., from about 10.8 ft to about 16.3 ft).14. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 12 or 13, wherein saiduppermost frame portion 32 is positioned a distance d_(s) above one ormore of said trampoline jumping surfaces 101, said distance d_(s)ranging from about 5.0 ft to about 16 ft (or any number, in incrementsof 0.1, between 5.0 ft and 16 ft, e.g., 12.6 ft, or any range ofnumbers, in increments of 0.1, between 5.0 ft and 16 ft, e.g., fromabout 5.8 ft to about 16.0 ft).15. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, whereineach of said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 comprises aseparate fabric material 115. See, for example, FIG. 1. Although anytrampoline material may be used, each trampoline jumping surface 101 istypically an upper surface of a woven polypropylene trampoline fabric.16. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 15, wherein said trampolinesystem 100 further comprises a plurality of elastic members (not shown),said plurality of elastic members connecting said separate fabricmaterial 115 to a support structure frame member 30 of said trampolinesystem 100.17. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 16, wherein said pluralityof elastic members comprises a plurality of springs (not shown).18. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, furthercomprising first padding (not shown) extending over springs (not shown)used to fasten said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 to atrampoline support structure 30.19. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, furthercomprising a safety wall or net (not shown) extending upward from andalong said outer edge 104.20. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 extends along an outer edge 104 of atleast one trampoline jumping surface 101 within said one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces 101.21. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, whereinopposite ends 21,22 of said at least one zip line 20 are eachindependently attached to a trampoline support structure 30 of saidtrampoline system 100.22. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 extends along an outer edge 104 of atleast one trampoline jumping surface 101 within said one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces 101. See, for example, exemplary trampolinesystem 100 shown in FIG. 1.23. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 extends along an uppermost outer edge 104of at least one trampoline jumping surface 101 within said one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces 101. See again, for example, exemplarytrampoline system 100 shown in FIG. 1.24. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 extends over at least one trampolinejumping surface 101 within said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces101.25. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 extends over at least one trampolinejumping surface 101 within said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces101 from one outer edge 104 of at least one trampoline jumping surface101 within said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 to anopposite outer edge 104 of at least one trampoline jumping surface 101within said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101, said oppositeouter edge 104 being along an opposite side of said trampoline system100 from said one outer edge 104.26. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 comprises a single zip line 20.27. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, whereinsaid at least one zip line 20 comprises two or more zip lines 20.28. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 27, wherein each of said twoor more zip lines 20 have opposite ends 21,22 that are eachindependently attached to a trampoline support structure 30 of saidtrampoline system 100.29. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 27 or 28, wherein each ofsaid two or more zip lines 20 are parallel to one another. The two ormore parallel zip lines 20 may be aligned with an outer edge 104 oftrampoline system 100 or extend diagonally across one or more trampolinejumping surfaces 101 of the trampoline system 100.30. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 29,wherein each of said two or more zip lines 20 are parallel to oneanother and extend along an outer edge 104 of the trampoline system 100.For example, in some embodiments, trampoline system 100 may comprise twozip lines 20 that are parallel to one another and extend along oppositeouter edges 104 of the trampoline system 100. In other embodiments,trampoline system 100 may comprise two or more (e.g., from 3 to 8) ziplines 20 that are parallel to one another and extend along oppositeouter edges 104 and over one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 ofthe trampoline system 100.31. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 29,wherein each of said two or more zip lines 20 are parallel to oneanother and extend (i) along an outer edge 104 of at least onetrampoline jumping surface 101 within said one or more trampolinejumping surfaces 101, and (ii) over at least one trampoline jumpingsurface 101 within said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101.32. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 31, whereineach of said at least one zip line 20 comprises a cable or a track (notshown) on which a user can move along. Although not shown in thefigures, the track could be a track similar to a track used on amusementpark rides that suspends a user/rider in the air above the ground andbelow the track. The user either manually or automatically is movedand/or stopped along the track as needed to provide a safe ridingexperience.33. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 32, whereineach of said at least one zip line 20 comprises a cable.34. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 32, whereineach of said at least one zip line 20 comprises a track.35. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 34, furthercomprising one or more connecting lines (not shown) used to connect auser to said at least one zip line 20.36. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 35, furthercomprising one or more harnesses (not shown) sized to be worn by a user,each of said one or more harnesses being connectable to said at leastone zip line 20. Suitable harnesses include, but are not limited to, awaist fitted climbing harness, typically used for mountain/rock climbersand/or gymnastics training.37. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 36, wherein each of said oneor more harnesses are connectable to said at least one zip line 20 by aconnecting line (not shown).38. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 6 to 37, whereinsaid one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 comprises (i) a firstrow 110 of trampoline jumping surfaces 101 within plane P that isparallel to a ground surface 80 on which the trampoline system 100 ispositioned, and (ii) a second row 111 of angled trampoline jumpingsurfaces 101′ positioned at an angle A relative to plane P. As discussedabove, angle A may range from about 15° to about 90° (or any number, inincrements of 0.1, between 15 and 90, e.g., 45.2, or any range ofnumbers, in increments of 0.1, between 15 and 90, e.g., from about 35.7to about 50.0). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in some desired embodimentsof the present invention, all of the second row 111 of angled trampolinejumping surfaces 101′ are positioned within a plane P′ (see, FIG. 3)that is at angle A relative to plane P.39. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 38, wherein each of saidfirst row 110 and said second row 111 independently comprises at leasttwo trampoline jumping surfaces 101/101′.40. The trampoline system 100 of embodiment 38 or 39, wherein each ofsaid first row 110 and said second row 111 independently comprises fromabout 4 to about 24 trampoline jumping surfaces 101/101′.41. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 38 to 40,wherein said at least one zip line 20 extends along and above an outeredge 104′ of said second row 111 of angled trampoline jumping surfaces101′. See, for example, FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

Methods of Making Trampoline Systems

42. A method of making the trampoline system 100 of any one ofembodiments 1 to 41, said method comprising: assembling the one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces 101 with one another; and attaching at leastone zip line 20 to the trampoline system 100 so that the at least onezip line 20 extends (i) along an outer edge 104 of at least onetrampoline jumping surface 101 within the one or more trampoline jumpingsurfaces 101, (ii) over at least one trampoline jumping surface 101within the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101, or (iii) both(i) and (ii).43. The method of embodiment 42, further comprising: attaching the oneor more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 to a trampoline supportstructure 30.44. The method of embodiment 42 or 43, further comprising: attaching theat least one zip line 20 to a trampoline support structure 30.45. The method of any one of embodiments 42 to 44, further comprising:covering springs (not shown) used to fasten the one or more trampolinejumping surfaces 101 to a trampoline support structure 30 with firstpadding (not shown).46. The method of any one of embodiments 42 to 45, further comprising:assembling a safety wall or net (not shown) that extends upward from andalong the outer edge 104.47. The method of any one of embodiments 42 to 46, wherein saidassembling step comprises assembling one or more of said trampolinejumping surfaces 101 is positioned at an angle A relative to a plane Pthat is parallel to a ground surface 80 on which the trampoline system100 is positioned. As discussed above, angle A may range from about 15°to about 90° (or any number, in increments of 0.1, between 15 and 90,e.g., 45.2, or any range of numbers, in increments of 0.1, between 15and 90, e.g., from about 35.7 to about 50.0).48. The method of any one of embodiments 42 to 47, wherein saidassembling step comprises assembling (i) a first row 110 of trampolinejumping surfaces 101 within plane P that is parallel to a ground surface80 on which the trampoline system 100 is positioned, and (ii) a secondrow 111 of angled trampoline jumping surfaces 101′ positioned at anangle A relative to plane P.49. The method of embodiment 48, wherein each of the first row 110 andthe second row 111 independently comprises at least two trampolinejumping surfaces 101/101′.50. The method of embodiment 48 or 49, wherein each of the first row 110and the second row 111 independently comprises from about 4 to about 24trampoline jumping surfaces 101/101′.51. The method of any one of embodiments 48 to 50, wherein the at leastone zip line 20 extends along and above an outer edge 104′ of the secondrow 111 of angled trampoline jumping surfaces 101′. See, for example,FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

Methods of Using Trampoline Systems

52. A method of using the trampoline system 100 of any one ofembodiments 1 to 41, said method comprising: jumping on at least one ofthe one or more trampoline jumping surfaces 101 while being attached tothe at least one zip line 20.53. The method of embodiment 52, wherein the one or more trampolinejumping surfaces 101 comprise (i) a first row 110 of trampoline jumpingsurfaces 101 within plane P that is parallel to a ground surface 80 onwhich the trampoline system 100 is positioned, and (ii) a second row 111of angled trampoline jumping surfaces 101′ positioned at an angle Arelative to plane P. As discussed above, angle A may range from about15° to about 90° (or any number, in increments of 0.1, between 15 and90, e.g., 45.2, or any range of numbers, in increments of 0.1, between15 and 90, e.g., from about 35.7 to about 50.0).54. The method of embodiment 52, wherein each of the first row 110 andthe second row 111 independently comprises at least two trampolinejumping surfaces 101/101′.55. The method of embodiment 53 or 54, wherein each of the first row 110and the second row 111 independently comprises from about 4 to about 24trampoline jumping surfaces 101/101′.56. The method of any one of embodiments 53 to 55, wherein the at leastone zip line 20 extends along and above an outer edge 104′ of the secondrow 111 of angled trampoline jumping surfaces 101′. See, for example,FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.57. The method of any one of embodiments 52 to 56, wherein a user movesalong a linear or curved path (not shown) using the at least one zipline 20.58. The method any one of embodiments 52 to 57, wherein a user is movedalong a linear or curved path using the at least one zip line 20 via anexternal force (e.g., when the zip line 20 is a track and a motorizedtrack moving system moves users along the track).59. The method of any one of embodiments 52 to 58, further comprisingattaching a harness (not shown) to a user to form a user/harnesscombination; and attaching the user/harness combination to the at leastone zip line 20.60. The method of embodiment 59, further comprising disconnecting theharness from the user.61. The method of embodiment 59 or 60, further comprising disconnectingthe user/harness combination from the at least one zip line 20.62. The method of any one of embodiments 59 to 61, wherein theuser/harness combination moves along the first and second rows 110/111of trampoline jumping surfaces 101/101′.

It should be understood that although the above-described trampolinesystems, and methods are described as “comprising” one or morecomponents or steps, the above-described trampoline systems, and methodsmay “comprise,” “consists of,” or “consist essentially of” any of theabove-described components or steps of the trampoline systems, andmethods. Consequently, where the present invention, or a portionthereof, has been described with an open-ended term such as“comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwisestated) the description of the present invention, or the portionthereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention,or a portion thereof, using the terms “consisting essentially of” or“consisting of” or variations thereof as discussed below.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having,” “contains”, “containing,” “characterizedby” or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass anon-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicatedotherwise, of the recited components. For example, a trampoline systemand/or method that “comprises” a list of elements (e.g., components orsteps) is not necessarily limited to only those elements (or componentsor steps), but may include other elements (or components or steps) notexpressly listed or inherent to the trampoline system and/or method.

As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists of” and “consistingof” exclude any element, step, or component not specified. For example,“consists of” or “consisting of” used in a claim would limit the claimto the components, materials or steps specifically recited in the claimexcept for impurities ordinarily associated therewith (i.e., impuritieswithin a given component). When the phrase “consists of” or “consistingof” appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediatelyfollowing the preamble, the phrase “consists of” or “consisting of”limits only the elements (or components or steps) set forth in thatclause; other elements (or components) are not excluded from the claimas a whole.

As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists essentially of” and“consisting essentially of” are used to define a protective trampolinesystem and/or method that includes materials, steps, features,components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed,provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components,or elements do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term “consistingessentially of” occupies a middle ground between “comprising” and“consisting of”.

Further, it should be understood that the herein-described trampolinesystems and/or methods may comprise, consist essentially of, or consistof any of the herein-described components and features, as shown in thefigures with or without any feature(s) not shown in the figures. Inother words, in some embodiments, the trampoline systems and/or methodsof the present invention do not have any additional features other thanthose shown in the figures, and such additional features, not shown inthe figures, are specifically excluded from the trampoline systemsand/or methods. In other embodiments, the trampoline systems and/ormethods of the present invention do have one or more additional featuresthat are not shown in the figures.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples,which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations uponthe scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood thatresort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, andequivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, maysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appendedclaims.

Example 1

Trampoline systems, similar to exemplary trampoline system 100 shown inFIGS. 1-6, were prepared.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilledin the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, mayreadily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents tothese embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionshould be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalentsthereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trampoline system comprising: one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces; and at least one zip line extending (i)along an outer edge of at least one trampoline jumping surface withinsaid one or more trampoline jumping surfaces, (ii) over at least onetrampoline jumping surface within said one or more trampoline jumpingsurfaces, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
 2. The trampoline system of claim1, wherein said trampoline system comprises four or more trampolinejumping surfaces.
 3. The trampoline system of claim 2, wherein saidtrampoline system comprises from four to 80 trampoline jumping surfaces.4. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein one or more of saidtrampoline jumping surfaces is within a plane P that is parallel to aground surface on which the trampoline system is positioned, and one ormore of said trampoline jumping surfaces is positioned at an angle Arelative to plane P.
 5. The trampoline system of claim 4, wherein angleA ranges from about 15° to about 90°.
 6. The trampoline system of claim1, further comprising: a trampoline support structure, said trampolinesupport structure comprising a support structure frame member (i) havingan uppermost frame portion, and (ii) a lowermost frame portion on aground surface, wherein said uppermost frame portion and said lowermostframe portion are positioned a distance H from one another, saiddistance H ranging from about 5.0 feet (ft) to about 20 ft, and saiduppermost frame portion is positioned a distance d_(s) above one or moreof said trampoline jumping surfaces, said distance d_(s) ranging fromabout 5.0 ft to about 16 ft.
 7. The trampoline system of claim 1,wherein each of said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces comprises aseparate fabric material.
 8. The trampoline system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one zip line extends along an outer edge of at least onetrampoline jumping surface within said one or more trampoline jumpingsurfaces.
 9. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein opposite ends ofsaid at least one zip line are each independently attached to atrampoline support structure of said trampoline system.
 10. Thetrampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least one zip line extendsalong an uppermost outer edge of at least one trampoline jumping surfacewithin said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces.
 11. The trampolinesystem of claim 1, wherein said at least one zip line comprises a singlezip line.
 12. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at leastone zip line comprises two or more zip lines and each of said two ormore zip lines have opposite ends that are each independently attachedto a trampoline support structure of said trampoline system.
 13. Atrampoline system comprising: one or more trampoline jumping surfaces;and at least one zip line extending (i) along an outer edge of at leastone trampoline jumping surface within said one or more trampolinejumping surfaces, (ii) over at least one trampoline jumping surfacewithin said one or more trampoline jumping surfaces, or (iii) both (i)and (ii), wherein the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces comprises(a) a first row of trampoline jumping surfaces within a plane P that isparallel to a ground surface on which the trampoline system ispositioned, and (ii) a second row of angled trampoline jumping surfacespositioned at an angle A relative to plane P.
 14. The trampoline systemof claim 13, wherein each of the first row and the second rowindependently comprises from about 4 to about 24 trampoline jumpingsurfaces.
 15. The trampoline system of claim 14, wherein said at leastone zip line extends along and above an outer edge of said second row ofangled trampoline jumping surfaces.
 16. The trampoline system of claim1, further comprising: one or more harnesses sized to be worn by a user,each of said one or more harnesses being connectable to said at leastone zip line
 17. The trampoline system of claim 14, further comprising:one or more harnesses sized to be worn by a user, each of said one ormore harnesses being connectable to said at least one zip line by aconnecting line (not shown).
 18. A method of making the trampolinesystem of claim 1, said method comprising: assembling the one or moretrampoline jumping surfaces with one another; and attaching at least onezip line to the trampoline system so that the at least one zip lineextends (i) along an outer edge of at least one trampoline jumpingsurface within the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces, (ii) over atleast one trampoline jumping surface within the one or more trampolinejumping surfaces, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
 19. A method of using thetrampoline system of claim 1, said method comprising: jumping on atleast one of the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces while beingattached to the at least one zip line.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the one or more trampoline jumping surfaces comprise (i) a firstrow of trampoline jumping surfaces within a plane P that is parallel toa ground surface on which the trampoline system is positioned, and (ii)a second row of angled trampoline jumping surfaces positioned at anangle A relative to plane P, and the method further comprises: allowinga user/harness combination to move along the first and second rows oftrampoline jumping surfaces.